Oregon Scientific, the Hong Kong brand famous for its projection clocks co-designed with Philippe Starck, is lending its name to MP3 players as well.
Two models expected to be released later this month are eye-catching and small: the MP 100 and the MP 200. At first glance, one can tell both are meant to be worn like a pendant around the neck.The pair comes with stereo headphone jacks incorporated into neck straps; they are light enough to dangle inconspicuously in front of your chest.
At 28 grams, the MP 100 surely qualifies as one of the smallest and lightest music player devices on the market. It is no heavier than a pack of bubble gum. The extra slim MP 200 feels like a stack of five credit cards. The device slips comfortably into a shirt pocket.
However, the market for compact digital players is flooded with similar devices and manufacturers require more than slim casings to sell products.
Both players provide only the barest of functions, such as basic equalisers and USB 2.0 connections.
Battery life is fair at 10 hours. The 128 MB of memory can handle about 50 to 60 of your favourite tunes.